Past

After a few months.

The date was now September 18, 2025, Thursday.

Samantha was at school, but she found it very hard to focus on her lessons because her mind was completely occupied by one thing—her plan to confess her feelings to Michael the very next day. Feeling overwhelmed, she messaged Xian, "Xian I'm very nervous for tomorrow 😣".

Xian comforted her immediately, saying, "It's okay I'll be always at your side...". But despite his reassurance, Sam couldn't calm down.

She thought about it for hours, her heart pounding so fast it felt like it would jump out of her chest, and she started sweating nervously. Her hands were even shaking a little. She couldn't take it and said "Shit!.... I'm going crazy...😩"

One day.

The date was now September 19, 2025, Friday.

One afternoon, she gathered all her courage to confess her feelings to Mike, but he gently rejected her. Samantha’s heart was broken. After that happened, she cried herself to sleep every single night. She couldn't help but blame herself for everything, constantly wondering what was wrong with her that made Mike not like her back. Because of this pain, she grew even more insecure and started to doubt her own worth. Even though her heart was shattered, Samantha still couldn't stop thinking about Mike. It was impossible for her to just erase her feelings overnight. Even though he caused her so much pain, a small part of her still liked him, and her love for him refused to fade away so easily. Her heart was torn between moving on and holding on. It was hard to let go, especially when she had loved him for six whole years.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Present

After a month.

Samantha was slowly trying to heal. She did everything she could just to mend her broken heart and ease the pain she felt after being rejected by Mike. She was stuck in the past, but her future was waiting for her to look up. Not only that, but she didn't realize it yet, but the pain was slowly making way for a happiness she never expected was coming her way.

One day.

Visitors arrived at their school. They were Mr. Romano and his three sons. They went from classroom to classroom, looking for someone. When they reached Samantha’s room, she wasn't there—she was at the gym playing with Xian.

Mr. Romano asked the teacher if there was a student with the last name "Romano."

The teacher said yes, but Samantha was still at break time.

Mr. Romano asked the teacher to bring her to the empty room on the 4th floor, then he waited there.

When Samantha and Xian returned, the teacher called her. "Samantha, someone important wants to see you. Go to the empty room on the 4th floor. Xian, you stay here."

Confused, Samantha went upstairs. When she opened the door, the visitors were shocked. The three boys ran to her and hugged her tightly, tears streaming down their faces. Then, Mr. Romano rushed forward and embraced her, apologizing over and over again.

"Who are you?" Samantha asked, her voice trembling uncontrollably as she took a step back. "Do I even know you?"

"I'm your father," he said softly, his eyes filled with regret and tears. "I am so sorry for leaving you... I am so sorry for everything."

"W-What?" Samantha cried out, tears streaming down her face. "You're my father? I thought you were dead! I thought you were gone forever! You never came back... You never visited me once!" she sobbed, her heartbreaking into pieces. "W-Why?.. You are really my father?.. I thought you died because you never came home to see me!" Samantha wept bitterly, her body shaking as she tried to wipe her tears.

But now, after finding her long-lost family, the empty space and the missing piece in her heart were finally filled and healed.

But now, after finding her long-lost family, the empty space and the missing piece in her heart were finally filled and healed.

Suddenly, Mr. Romano looked at her and asked gently, "How is your mother? Is she doing well?"

But the moment he asked, Samantha’s expression fell. She slowly lowered her head, avoiding his gaze, and shook her head sadly. Tears started to well up in her eyes as she whispered, "I'm sorry, Father... but Mother is already gone..."

She took a shaky breath and continued, "She died in a terrible jeepney accident. She was hit by a jeep on the road and passed away instantly. I was only three years old back then, so I don't remember everything clearly, but Grandma told me the whole story."

Samantha looked up at him, her voice trembling with pain. "Grandma was so angry at you for leaving us—for leaving me alone and my mother helpless. That is why she made me believe that you had died too, so I wouldn't look for you or think about you ever again."

"W-What?!" Mr. Romano exclaimed, his face turning pale in complete shock and disbelief.

"Are you telling me the truth?! You aren't lying to me, are you?!" Mr. Romano asked desperately, his voice shaking as he grabbed her shoulders gently.

"I'm telling the truth, Father..." Samantha answered softly, looking straight into his eyes, letting him know she wasn't hiding anything anymore.

Mr. Romano was completely dumbfounded. He stood frozen in place, staring at her in absolute disbelief. The reality of what he just heard hit him hard, leaving him speechless and unable to utter another word. He was too stunned and heartbroken to even react.

Mr. Romano’s legs suddenly gave way, and he was about to collapse and fall hard onto the floor. Thankfully, his three sons reacted quickly, rushing forward to catch him and hold him firmly steady just in time, preventing him from hitting the ground.

"I... I missed everything..." Mr. Romano whispered weakly, tears finally streaming down his face as the weight of the truth crushed his heart. "I lost her... I lost my wife..."

It was a heartbreaking revelation that left everyone in tears. The truth was finally out, but it brought more pain than they ever expected.

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